West Virginia travels to Ames, Iowa to take on the Cyclones in a Big 12 matchup on Wednesday night. Iowa State leads the all time series 7-6, and have won 2 of the last 3 dating back to 2017.
In their last game out, West Virginia lost 83-66 at Tennessee in the SEC/Big-12 Challenge on Saturday. Last Saturday (1/19) they beat Kansas at home 65-64, and last Monday (1/21) they lost at home 85-73 to Baylor.
Iowa State defeated #20 Ole Miss 87-73 on the road Saturday in the SEC/Big-12 Challenge. Last Saturday (1/19) they beat Oklahoma State at home 72-59, and last Monday (1/21) they lost to #9 Kansas 80-76 on the road.
On the season, West Virginia is 8-12 ATS, 2-3 ATS on the road, and 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games. On the season Iowa State is 13-7 ATS, 8-4 ATS at home, and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games.
BetOnline has the Cyclones as 13.5 point favourites and an O/U total of 148.
Iowa State averages 78.9 PPG, 35.6 RPG, 16.6 APG, 4.6 BPG, 7.2 SPG, and 13 TPG. As a team they hoot 48.3% from the field, 36.7% from 3 point range, and 71.8% from the free throw line. Defensively, they hold teams to 65.5 PPG, 34.1 RPG, 40.9% shooting from the field, and 31.9% shooting from 3 point range.
They are led by combo wing Marial Shayok, who averages 19.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.9 APG, and 1.0 SPG while shooting 51.4/41.0/86.5. Michael Jacobson helps out with 12.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 0.8 SPG while shooting 58.9/34.4/66.2. Talen Horton-Tucker is a solid #3 who averages 12.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.9 APG, an 1.3 SPG. Lindell Wiggington (11.6 PPG/4.4 RPG/2.7 APG/0.8 SPG), Nick Babb (7.8 PPG/4.7 RPG/4.2 APG/1.3 SPG), Tyrese Haliburton (7.8 PPG/3.8 RPG/4.3 APG/1.8 SPG), and Cameron Lard (4.5 PPG/1.9 RPG/1.0 BPG) give them quality minutes as well.
West Virginia averages 74.1 PPG, 40 RPG, 13.1 APG, 4.3 BPG, 5.9 SPG and 16 TPG. As a team they shoot 42.1% from the field, 32.2% from 3 point range, and 68.2% from the free throw line. Defensively, they hold teams to 74.4 PPG, 34.9 RPG, 43.5% shooting from the field, and 34.9% shooting from 3.
They are led by forward Esa Ahmad who averages 12.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, and 0.9 SPG while shooting 46.9% from the field, 24.4% from 3, and 67% from the free throw line. Derek Culver is relegated to the #2 role and he averages 11.3 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 0.7 BPG while shooting 54.3/00.0/54.3. Lamont West has to step up as he is putting up 10.2 PPG and 4.1 RPG. Wesley Harris (8.2 PPG/4.8 RPG/35% from 3), Chase Harler (5.0 PPG/1.2 APG/34.4% from 3), and Brandon Knapper (4.6 PPG/1.7 RPG/1.7 APG/) must also step up their game.
Key Injuries
G James Bolden (ankle) – out
F Sagaba Konate (knee) – out
West Virginia obviously misses Sagabi Konate, but the loss of James Bolden for this game hurts them drastically in the short run. They were already short on quality guard play, but Bolden is their assist leader as well as the only guard who averages more than 5 points per game. Their lack of backcourt depth will be on display against Iowa State who boasts excellent guard play from Horton-Tucker, Wiggington, Babb, and Haliburton among others. West Virginia has made their living over the past few years on high intensity defensive play from their guards and points in transition, two things that have been missing from this years squad. They do have a decided advantage in the paint, where they can stress Shayok and Michael Jacobson into hopefully committing some dumb fouls. Iowa State’s perimeter oriented offense and opportunistic defense have made them a pleasant surprise this season, and will be too much to handle for a West Virginia team that has lost its identity. They are heavy favorites here for a reason, and they should continue to establish themselves as a quality tournament team with a sizable win at home.
Final Pick: Iowa State Cyclones (-13.5)
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